video

[sos_pilot]

[ The video is late at night - not too late to wake a bunch of people up, but it's definitely different than Della's usual videos where it's an earlier time. Not to mention she kinda... looks like hell. Bags under her eyes, all the usual signs of exhaustion - but it's more than that. She actually looks emotionally beat up. ]

... Hey, guys. I figured I owed a bunch of you an explanation about my behavior last mission. Look, I know a lot of the time I'm all "woo, adventure, let's beat up monsters, yeah!" everywhere we go, but last time I was more... out of control. Not listening to anyone, still trying to fight even when I was literally falling apart... and I am sorry. I shouldn't have to make you guys worry more than you already have to, especially in the middle of a dangerous fight.

... Here's the deal. All of you are amazing, you have to know that on some level. You've got super powers, you've got metal bodies, you've got magic, and even of those of you who are about to say "Oh, I'm just some ordinary human" - you're not. So many of you have amazing abilities with your weapons, brilliant minds that have led kingdoms and companies, you're all wonderful, and should be so proud of yourself. I'm proud of each and every single one of you.

... And all I can do is land a solid punch every now and then. Back home, I... I was on a team. My family. They all had their own special talents too, and when I finally came home, maybe some part of me wondered... if they really needed me after all, since they'd done so well without me for ten years. And now, here I am, and I can't even do the one thing I at least KNOW I'm good at, being a pilot. Here, I'm just... me.

[ She sighs, taking off her pilot's cap to run a hand through her hair. ]

Dang, I didn't mean to ramble. Just... I'm sorry. I'll try to make sure it won't happen again.

... 'Night, guys.

[ For anyone wanting to check in on her, she can be found in the lower-carriage of the library, wordlessly thumbing through her copy of the Junior Woodchuck Guide, though not really reading it. ]

Comments

[flatteries]

[ He opens his mouth. Then shuts it again, like he's unsure about whether or not to say it.

In the end he probably opted not to say it, considering what he does say doesn't seem to be something that needs much thought. ]

As long as you do the same, Della. I wouldn't want you to be walking around with these sorts of thoughts all by yourself..

[sos_pilot]

... Tea wouldn't be so bad. Been a long time since I've had some.

[sos_pilot]

Hearing that he is a fellow parent does calm her down a bit. "... I'll admit, hearing that is a new one."

[sos_pilot]

I just hope I can be a good student. You and I both know I can be a little... headstrong.

[ Little. Ha. ]

[dreamtamer]

Well, I don't know if we're a perfect team. But we've learned to work together through lots of adventures.

[gundamofthedesert]

Great. Would you like to get some now? I know it's a little late, but if you'd like to, I'll be there.

[averyusefultray]

I'm not sure how much more we would have been able to physically prepare.

[It was pretty overwhelming and they only had what they had on the train]

We could have been in a better place mentally though.

[guru_clef]

"Which part?"

Wait till you meet his son.

[sos_pilot]

I'll try. I promise, I will try.

[ She saw that hesitation, but knows she can't pry more out of him without hurting him further. So instead, she touches his shoulders, making him lean down.

She smooths down his hair, and gives him a motherly kiss to his forehead. ]

[sos_pilot]

... I'd love to hear about them. Anytime, any place.

[sos_pilot]

My sleep schedule is already nutty. This won't hurt it any.

[sos_pilot]

... I'll admit, I probably should have prepared myself better. I went days without sleep before it.

[sos_pilot]

"The frozen homework bit. I guess kids can be stubborn across all worlds."

[dreamtamer]

"Of course! We don't mind talking about them."

Here Takato pauses a moment.

"But not all of it is happy. Some really terrible things happened."

[gundamofthedesert]

I'll meet you there then, Ms. Della.

[averyusefultray]

THat's never the best plan.

[She pauses. No lying.]

I've done it, but it's never the best plan.

[goingthroughaphase]

[ She giggles. ] Maybe just a little. [ With a light teasing tone. ]

But I think you'll do fine. Because you also seem like the type who does exactly what you need to do, no matter what it takes.

Even if it can take a bit to get there.

[flatteries]

[ Inigo easily leans down. She hardly even has to apply a lot of pressure to his shoulders - he's already bending right down the moment there's a hint of those hands there, like he knows what's being expected of him.

And then there's that small kiss on his forehead, and.. it does feel familiar.

It's exactly what Olivia did when they met each other again on the train. Like all mothers out there share some motherly instinct, knowing exactly when they need to do this sort of thing, even when it's not with their own kids.

Inigo feels his eyes starting to well up with water, and he sniffs.

(He misses her. He misses her already.) ]

T-Thanks, Della.

[ He says, in that typical teenager I'm-about-to-cry-but-pretending-I'm-not kind of tone. ]

OOC: do you want her tio learn magic?

[guru_clef]

"Ah, I suspect he used an ice arrow," he said, smiling a bit at the memory. "Thankfully I was prepared and had made copies."

That aisde.

"Do you want to learn magic?"

[sos_pilot]

Della frowned in concern. "Well, of course you don't have to talk about stuff you don't wanna talk about."

[sos_pilot]

Just Della. Just Della will do.

[sos_pilot]

... I was making little gifts for everyone, trying to lift their spirits. But I might've went overboard.

[sos_pilot]

... You're not wrong about that. Determination and Della begin with the same letter.

[sos_pilot]

[ She can hear the break in his tone, and pulls him into another hug.

She doesn't say anything - she doesn't feel she has to. As of right now, she's his own kid as much as if he hatched out of an egg. She's not going anywhere. ]

[paopuofyourlife]

That. When you return you'll just be with them always. Maybe give them a good story about your adventures here.